Latest news with #selflove
The Independent
12 hours ago
- Health
- The Independent
Estelle Bingham wants you to know that manifesting isn't about wishing for outcomes – it's about healing
Estelle Bingham calls herself a heart-led healer. And though this job title will likely sound 'woo' to some, Bingham seems to commonly show up as the most practical person in the room, whatever the topic of conversation. She's calm yet direct, and discusses the harms we humans inflict on ourselves through self-doubt and negative self-talk as though they're obvious mistakes we've simply forgotten how to correct or avoid. After speaking with her, it does all feel a little more obvious. The idea that self love, self awareness, and gentle mindset shifts could change your life for the better seems like a no-brainer. But could it all be that easy? In recent years, these sorts of ideas have become wildly popular, particularly on social media. We have practitioners like Bingham to thank for the widespread adoption of techniques like 'positive self talk', journaling and manifestation mantras. But Bingham is careful to ascribe credit where it's due. She tells me that her family has used these techniques for generations and when we speak about her new book, Manifest Your True Essence, we discuss the cultural origins of practices like meditation and mindfulness. In a world full of TikTok mindset coaches offering questionable money manifestation courses, Bingham is the real deal. Her approach, which blends modern therapy and mindfulness with spirituality and mysticism, isn't about wishful thinking. It's about feeling your feelings, doing the work and transforming the parts of yourself you've been avoiding for too long. A framework for self love and success 'What I help people do is get out of their heads and into their hearts,' Bingham says. 'The heart has a wisdom of its own. Science has finally caught up with what wisdom keepers or shamans or mystical people have known for centuries.' Her book Manifesting Your True Essence: Clear Your Blocks, Find Your Joy, Live Your Truth is a toolkit for self acceptance. Each chapter aims to help readers understand what's holding them back in life and learn how to love themselves, offering useful exercises and meditations that encourage us to find confidence and compassion where it might be lacking. The homework isn't always easy, as I found when I started reading the book. At times, the things you're encouraged to think about will make you feel uncomfortable, but for Bingham, 'feel' is the operative word. 'Instead of thinking about healing, we are feeling healing,' she explains. 'When we feel our healing, then it's no longer intellectualised. It's happening in real time, and that's why it's so successful.' Before her career as a Goop favourite and mindset expert to the stars, Bingham worked in TV and radio – something she enjoyed but never truly felt aligned with. She tells me that she's always been able to see where people's strengths lie and that some of her friends and clients today were people she saw a spark in decades ago. ' Charlotte Tilbury and I have been friends for years, since we were teenagers, and one of the things I knew intuitively about Charlotte was that she would succeed. She really embraced that idea completely and utterly, with every cell of her body. And I saw it in her.' she says. That self-belief – and the blocks that often stand in its way – is a central part of Estelle's one-to-one work. 'A lot of us have a voice in our heads that says, 'You can't do that. I don't believe in you.' It pulls us down. It's there when we're waking up, in our quietest moments, or when we're about to start something new. I realised I needed to help people shift their mindset – to help them move into the unconscious and pick apart that negative voice,' she explains. The phone call from Gwyneth Paltrow came before Estelle even had a website. 'She was coming to do an In Goop Health summit in London. They'd heard about me, and she said she'd been looking for me,' Estelle recalls. 'I always say, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. If you're doing something well, word gets out.' Beyond the TikTok manifestation coaches But with mindset work and manifestation now booming on TikTok and Instagram, the nuance of these practices is often diluted and exploited – sometimes to the detriment of people in vulnerable positions. There's a danger, Estelle says, in turning ancient practices into 'life hacks'. 'Ultimately, it's great that people are waking up to the idea that they're powerful – I really love that. Because I completely, wholeheartedly believe that we all have that power,' she says. 'But it gets tricky when we're manifesting from the head, based on things we think we want, instead of the heart. I'm not saying you shouldn't want to manifest a relationship or a better job. But you might not be able to love, or feel safe in that job, because of something stuck deep in your unconscious. That needs to be understood and alchemised. It needs to be transformed in order for you to actually receive, and not sabotage it.' The real work, she says, isn't about wishing for outcomes, but getting to know yourself deeply enough that joy, connection and self-worth aren't dependent on external circumstances. 'When we manifest from our hearts rather than our heads, it's a little bit deeper – it's sort of a master manifestation. The more you know about yourself, the more powerful you are in your own life. Happiness isn't outside of us. It's something inside of us. And when you manifest with understanding, openness or curiosity, life brings you everything you need.' So how does someone begin? The social media version of manifestation often looks deceptively easy – a vision board, a candle, a single thought repeated enough times to become reality. 'I wrote the book so people could start the process of healing and self-discovery and empowerment. To go on that journey of deep, proper self love. Because that's what manifestation really is – it's what radical self-love looks like,' Estelle says. 'When we meet the parts of us that have been hurt – with love, curiosity and compassion – it can feel overwhelming. But it's the greatest gift. You'll be amazed when you gather together the parts you've pushed away. The ones you didn't want to look at. When you bring them in from the cold, you'll be so excited and wowed by how beautiful they are. Because that's your true essence.' Self belief in a time of crisis Bingham's philosophy is gaining traction at a time where mental health services are stretched, and loneliness is widespread. 'The loneliness epidemic is worldwide,' she says. 'The way we are online all the time, always on our devices – it's doing us damage.' She's been working with the charity Body & Soul for over a decade in an attempt to share her philosophies with those who need it most. This is refreshing at a time where so many esoteric practices are whitewashed and repackaged as money-making schemes. 'I've been doing one-to-ones, workshops, working with the team. We just need more spaces where people can talk, connect, and allow feelings to flow,' she explains. But for those who are sceptical of too much talk of feelings, or of concepts like the power of positive thoughts, Estelle is keen to open up a dialogue. 'For millennia, there's been this push-pull with people who can't quite get their heads around these ideas. And that's okay. But some of these things are basic. My work intersects with neurology and the study of the heart's connection to the brain – how our beliefs, feelings and reactions shape who we are and who we want to be.' Her book makes reference to several fascinating pieces of modern research that point to the tangible benefits of practices like mindfulness and meditation. Estelle Bingham's wellbeing rituals I'm keen to discuss the benefits of transcendental meditation with Estelle, having learned that she began practicing aged six. So she tells me about her routine. 'I start my days with some organic matcha and I set an intention every morning. I meditate. I learned transcendental meditation when I was very young – but it's basically just mantra-based meditation. And I move. I go to the gym or take the dog for a walk. I spend a lot of time inside, so I try to get out, even if it's just to walk around the park with some music.' You don't need to be still, she adds, to shift your state. 'Walking can take your brain waves from beta to alpha and theta. You don't need silence – you just need awareness.' A mindset shift can feel a long way off for most people. But, she explains, it's all about habit formation. She tells me there are three things you can do every day that are simple and accessible to everyone. 'Just take a couple of minutes a day to meditate. Breathe into your heart. Listen to what your heart is telling you – it will guide you. 'Hold both hands on your heart, breathe in through the nose, out through the mouth, and ask, 'How are you today?' The heart will tell you. And then write it down. Journaling is still such an amazing tool. Just breathing, heart connection and journaling – it's a great place to start.' Her book is designed to be used intuitively. 'You can dip into chapters, flip to the right meditation or journal prompt when you feel triggered, and use it as a tool. I wrote it with the ups and downs of life in mind,' she says. Because life, like healing, is a process. As Bingham explains, 'there's a beginning, a middle and an end to every piece of healing. It's like a bridge, to get to the other side, you have to start.'
The Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Charlotte Dawson dances in her underwear as she claps back at trolls over post-baby body
CHARLOTTE Dawson stripped down to her underwear to give body shaming trolls a piece of her mind. The mum-of-three, whose youngest is four-month-old daughter Gigi, decided to put on a show in her nightie followed by bra and pants to send a message to people who criticised her post-baby body. 5 5 5 While holding baby Gigi, former Big Brother personality danced to the camera while slapping her belly and proudly showing off her curves. "Just about to take me Makey off n get into bed .. and had a thought. When twat heads ask me 'have you not lost weight yet?' She's only 4 months old for one, and secondly CHUFF OFF," Charlotte captioned the post. Charlotte's fans reacted to her video in the comments section of the post. "Sexy mama ! All you're kids are identical to each other too ! So cute," wrote one person. A second commented: "Imagine sending gross messages to this woman and she's there living a lovely life with three cute kids and dancing in her undies… what a queen." And a third posted: "I f*****g LOVE how real you are! We need more mums on socials like yourself! You are a sexy mumma and don't let ANYONE say otherwise." She is the daughter of legendary stand-up comedian Les Dawson and has tracked the ups and downs of her pregnancy and birth. Charlotte got engaged to Matt Sarsfield in 2020, and together they share two sons and a baby daughter. The reality TV star also recently opened up about being targeted by vile trolls - who have left her in tears. On a recent podcast, she got emotional and said: "I'm really low at the moment. I'm really up and down. I've been crying, I'm constantly upset and feeling like… thinking about things, worrying. "I'm trying to be positive, but... I've really been struggling, the last few weeks and days and stuff." Speaking about trolls, she said: "Like, the things that they're saying to me, it's just awful, and I don't want to give them what they want." 5
UAE Moments
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- UAE Moments
Daily Affirmation for July 21, 2025 to Kickstart Your Vibe
✨ Today's Affirmation: 'I trust the timing of my life — even when it doesn't make sense yet.' 💫 Vibe Check: Feeling behind? Comparing your pace to everyone else's highlight reel? We've all been there. But today's energy is a reminder that your journey is unfolding exactly as it's meant to — plot twists, pauses, and all. You're not late. You're not off track. You're just living a timeline that's custom-built for you. 🧘♀️ Why This Works: We live in a world obsessed with milestones: career by 25, marriage by 30, success by yesterday. But comparison is a trap, and it steals your peace. This affirmation helps ground you in the truth that not everything needs to happen now to be meaningful later. Trusting your own pace builds resilience — and self-love. 🌿 Your Mini Mission: Today, ditch the pressure to 'keep up.' Instead: – Unfollow one account that makes you question your worth. – Write down three things you've done lately that your younger self would be proud of. – Whisper this when your mind spirals: 'I am not behind. I am becoming.' 🎧 Divine Timing Playlist: For the days you need to slow down and trust the magic: 'Unwritten' – Natasha Bedingfield 'Wait for It' – Leslie Odom Jr. (Hamilton) 'Grow As We Go' – Ben Platt 'Everything in Its Time' – Indigo Girls 🔮 BonusEnergy Tip: Look at the sky today — sunrise, sunset, or just clouds drifting. Let it remind you: nothing in nature rushes, and it all still blooms. You will too.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
She's a uni academic turned Sports Illustrated star. Now Nina Cash, 59, reveals her anti-ageing secrets - and the Australian product she swears by
At an age when many women are being told to 'age gracefully' and disappear from the spotlight, Nina Cash has done the exact opposite. The now 59-year-old is turning heads, breaking barriers and redefining what it means to age well, and it's certainly ruffling a few feathers. After a career in higher education, Nina stunned the world when she ditched the boardroom for the beach and became one of just seven women selected as a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Rookie in the magazine's blockbuster 60th anniversary edition in 2024. At 57, she walked the runway alongside women less than half her age, completely stealing the show with her silver hair, toned physique, and message of self-love. 'I wanted to show that you don't have to fade into the background just because you're over 50,' she told FEMAIL. 'Age isn't a limitation, it's a superpower.' Since going viral, Nina has used her platform to advocate for pro-ageing - not anti-ageing - encouraging women to embrace every stage of life with confidence. And while her natural glow, glossy grey hair and radiant skin speak for themselves, Nina says it's not just genetics. In fact, the model, speaker and wellness advocate has just revealed the Australian skincare brand behind her luminous skin, and her 360 degree health and beauty philosophy to looking and feeling fantastic at any age. 'I am 59 this year, so to me, pro-ageing is all about celebrating where you are right now, not wishing you were 25, 35, or even 45 again! 'It's about proudly owning your story, your experiences, and your natural beauty, silver strands and all.' After retiring in June 2022, instead of slowing down, Nina decided it was time to rewrite her next chapter. She returned to the modelling world, decades after putting it on pause, and hasn't looked back since. Her bold leap of faith paid off in the most spectacular way, and just 12 months post-retirement, she was strutting her stuff down the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit runway in Miami, where she was later named one of the magazine's 2024 Rookies. Now, with her 'encore career' in full swing, Nina is sharing the beauty secrets that help her look and feel her best. 'Age is a gift that not many receive, so cherish your gift,' she said. 'I'm proud to be part of a new conversation around ageing and I'm all about showing up confidently at every stage.' From the exact serum she swears by, to her glow-boosting rituals and age-defying philosophy, Nina proves that it's never too late to get out of your comfort zone and try something new. When it comes to taking care of her skin, Nina believes in hard-working actives and great SPF protection daily - like any good skincare aficionado. 'I love everything this brand stands for,' she said of Australian brand Bespoke Skin Technology. 'It's sun-safe, gentle, incredibly effective, and designed to support your skin as it is, not fight against it.' In her day-to-day routine, Nina alternates the cleansers and the 'ultra-hydrating Dream Cream ($179) and the Luminosity Revive and Refine Serum ($145) for next-level glow and smoothness.' 'I'm also a big fan of HydraFacial's for a deep cleanse and hydration boost. And when I want a real refresh, I go for microneedling. It works wonders for collagen and skin texture.' HER SILKY HAIR Nina's signature silver locks are just as striking as her smooth skin and toned physique at nearly 60-years-old. And there's one hair product that she can't live without - purple shampoo. 'It's everything for keeping my grey bright and vibrant. No dye here, [but] I'm completely obsessed with Silverist products; they're a total game changer.' HER FITNESS & BODYCARE ROUTINE For her toned body that rivals someone half her age, Nina credits a variety of exercise, especially since menopause. 'I mix strength training, riding a stationary bike, Pilates, and treadmill walks. It's all about finding movement that feels fun and keeps me strong. I'm not about punishment workouts; consistency and enjoyment are key. She also loves dry brushing before showers to get her circulation going, and is a fan of body exfoliation to keep her skin glowing top-to-toe. DIET & WELLNESS They say beauty starts from within, but as a Type 2 diabetic Nina is extremely mindful about what she puts in her body daily. 'I focus on fresh veggies, lean proteins, healthy fats, and lots of water instead of sodas or alcohol. I love food and definitely won't deny myself, but moderation is my magic word. For energy and upping her supplements, Nina's go-to is a nourishing smoothie packed with all the good stuff, especially omega-3s, collagen powder smoothies. Both that and a diet 'rich in leafy greens and colourful veggies has made a noticeable difference in both my skin and my energy levels'. MINDSET & MOTIVATION When it comes to her mental health, Nina credits moving her body with dance as the best happy drug and pick-me-up. 'Dancing it out to a great playlist always lifts my mood. Then I follow up with some pampering skincare, maybe a soothing face mask or a relaxing bath - it's all about hitting the reset button and giving yourself some love.' At 59, Nina is quietly challenging outdated ideas about age, beauty and what life is supposed to look like after 50. More importantly, her story isn't about chasing youth it's about showing up fully, at every stage of life, which is probably why she resonates with some many women worldwide.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Ulrika Jonsson, 57, passionately hits back at ageist comments after being trolled for podcast appearance: 'Making people feel s**t doesn't make you a hero!'
Ulrika Jonsson hit back at ageist comments in an impassioned new Instagram post on Sunday. The television presenter and former model, 57, revealed she had been trolled with 'nasty comments' after appearing on Spencer Matthews ' recent Untapped Podcast which is filmed as well as recorded. She explained in her post that many had commented that she looked 'over-tanned, imperfect and was ageing'. But Ulrika pointed out that it's tiresome people constantly judge a women's appearance. She said in her post alongside a selfie: 'I feel I need to address something. I don't get a lot of nasty comments - or if I do, I don't see them or send people love in response. 'But a couple of weeks ago I took part in a fab podcast @ to discuss my sobriety with the smart @spencermatthews. Seen in the year 2000 'I wore no make-up. Partly because I kinda forgot that a project for the ears is nowadays also a feast for the eyes. But as someone who has had to wear heavy make-up on screen from 5am for years, I'm not a fan. 'Most crucially tho, since childhood I've suffered from eczema. On my body - the creases of my arms and legs - on my face - eyes and lips. Make-up has always been the enemy because it's been agony to wear. 'There were a lot of positive comments about the WORDS I said on the podcast. But a considerable amount about my tanned appearance. 'AND how OLD I look. In a few weeks I will be 58. I will never look like the fresh 21yr old that used to greet you first thing in the morning by the weather board. 'I'm not ashamed to say that I am a sun worshipper and will no doubt pay the price for that. But UV lamps and salt baths, astringent solutions and creams were a feature of my life since I was a small child. I have uneven pigmentation doubtlessly not helped by ageing. I sometimes use filters in my pics because it's easier than foundation and less painful. 'I work tirelessly in my garden year round and often in the sun. I rarely sunbathe any more. Haven't had a sun bed for 6 months - which I do occasionally in winter months. Not ashamed. 'I have not had a holiday - of any kind - since 2018. That's 7yrs. So, I understand that an over-tanned, imperfect and AGEING face offends you. But try to listen to the words rather than constantly judge women's appearance. You might learn something. And making people feel s**t doesn't make you a hero.' On the podcast with Spencer she opened up about how sex has become 'interesting' since she stopped drinking alcohol 13 months ago - because it's harder to get into but more enjoyable having it while sober. The recovering alcoholic also said she's convinced she'll never touch a drop of alcohol again in her life, as she's finally finding nothing attractive about the thought of drinking booze. Former Gladiators star Ulrika, who is determined to keep up her average three AA meetings a week, also said that whereas previously she thought she was a failure with a miserable life, she's now at peace with herself and sends a daily gratitude list to a friend. When it comes to sex, Ulrika - who is single - said she wants a lot more, but she admitted she finds men less attractive when sober, and it's harder to end up in bed with someone - but she said when she does it is a better experience. Asked by Spencer on his Untapped podcast if she thought being sober was going to have a negative effect on her sex life, she said: 'Yeah - although I kind of knew that sex sober would be better. 'But of course all your inhibitions go when you've had a drink, so sex becomes easier to sort of facilitate or bring about, or participate in, but the enjoyment side of things is very different when you're sober. 'So that's been quite interesting too. 'I would never have had a date without having one drink. That's the lubricant. That's the social lubricant you just need to ease yourself into a date.' She continued 'not having a drink and going on a date, it's hard - it's really hard because people are not as attractive,' before adding about herself after drink 'you just become a little bit more available I guess - it is easier.' The blonde beauty said that after struggling on the first anniversary of her sobriety last month, she's now confident it will continue for good. She said: 'I really struggled around the anniversary of my sobriety, because everyone was like 'Well done'. This is like the rest of my life. 'I believe that I will never drink again.' Ulrika thinks she might possibly be able to have just one drink now and not return to her bad ways, but she does not intend taking the risk of that not being the case. She said: 'I do not want to take the risk. 'There's every chance that I could have a glass of wine today but then when the shit hits the fan again is that going to be my default setting that I go back to that. 'At the moment, the way I feel now just over a year on, is the very thought of drinking rum or something because something has gone bad makes me feel sick. I don't want to. 'But at the beginning when I'd go out for a Sunday lunch, a roast of whatever, and people are sitting there with their glasses of red, I'd be 'that would be so nice'. 'So my belief is that this is forever. 'I couldn't think like that at the beginning. 'At the beginning you're going 24 hours, 48 hours, I've done a week, I've done a month. 'That's why I think coming up to a year was a bit disappointing - because it was like 'this goes on and bloody on, this sobriety'.' And Ulrika says as well as not being drunk her whole opinion of herself and her life has now changed. She said: 'What a massive change it's made for me as a person, as a being. My mindset, my approach has completely changed. 'I thought I wasn't very good at life, I wasn't cut out for it, and I was just a pretty average to rubbish person. 'I'm tapping maybe into the person that was there, that I didn't think existed. 'I thought I was shit. My opinion of myself was never very high. More in a self-deprecating way. 'I always felt below, and I don't feel that any more. 'I didn't think I'd get to this age. My dad died very suddenly when he was 53. Pensions and all that I was 'don't worry about that, I'll be dead before then'. I always say that to the kids and they'd say 'Mum, stop saying that', 'I definitely won't be here'. 'And now suddenly finding a new desire to live and finding out new things about myself and what I'm capable of and my strengths. 'I still want to have a lot of sex, and I want to have a lot of fun. The kids can wipe their own arses now so I can be free to do my own thing. 'And now wanting to catch up on the years of negative thinking that I lost, of sort of having a negative view of myself. 'I was also really f***ing angry when I was drinking. I was angry about everything. I was angry about what was happening to me, what someone was trying to do in terms of my life, that I was trying to find a solution to 'You look at other people's lives and think 'f**k you with your perfect life', and 'f**k my life'. 'Now I start the morning with a gratitude list and it changes the whole face of everything. 'I actually send it to a person who I know. 'You always find something and having done that you're just like 'You know what...' - whereas before I might have started the day 'Oh my God, look at the bloody brush dropped on the floor'.' Ulrika, who said she has had therapy on and off for 30 years, said she might have been able to stop drinking temporarily in the past, but it would not have lasted - because she had to reach a stage first where she was also more content with herself and understood her behaviour. She said: 'I could definitely stop drinking, but would I be able to keep off that without learning about myself, like cleansing myself emotionally - learning about why I'm doing things The mum of four children, Cameron, 30, Bo 25, Martha, 20, and Malcolm, 17, added: 'For me now sobriety is my priority, even though I used to say 'Oh my children are my priority' 'I think that that, in tandem with giving up the drink, has been crucial for me. 'My behaviour has changed so much, but I've found this inner peace.' Ulrika said regularly meeting with others in her situation had helped her achieve that. She said: 'I rely on a support group and I probably do about three meetings a week. 'Sometimes I go to one and do a couple online. 'I've been quite religious about attending them. Christmas Day I attended a meeting, Easter Sunday, just to get away from people who were drunk.' The mum of four children, Cameron, 30, Bo 25, Martha, 20, and Malcolm, 17, added: 'For me now sobriety is my priority, even though I used to say 'Oh my children are my priority'. 'Without my sobriety I can't be there for my children, or something awful might happen, or whatever else.'
